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BPC 05-18-05 I CUPEIQ1NO MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION May 18, 2005 The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Greenstein, Koski (arrived 7:07 p.m.), Paulsen, Walton (arrived 7:04 p.m.), Wiant None Glenn Goepfert, Assistant Director of Public Works Absent: Staff: ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Comm. Greenstein spoke about a pedestrian crossing article in the May Cupertino Scene. He stated he wrote the article at the request of a resident who asked the City to do something about the two crossings on McClellan Road between Stelling Road and De Anza Boulevard. The resident felt that it was unsafe to cross because cars would not stop. Comm. Greenstein stated that the Sheriffs Department conducted spot enforcement of the crosswalks and wrote numerous citations. Now that his article has been published, it can be re-used whenever an issue of pedestrian safety arises. He stated he has also received a request from a resident to apply for Bike-Friendly City. He will begin to gather information in anticipation of filling out an application. Comm. Paulsen stated that he received an e-mail concerning the bike lane on Wolfe Road near the 280 on-ramp. He would like to place an item on a future agenda regarding this area. In response to a question regarding a project on 280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard and the process for bringing CalTrans' plans to the Commission in a timely manner for meaningful input, Asst. Director Goepfert stated he would have to find out what projects are in a planning stage. Comm. Walton informed the Commission about a recent VTA meeting. He reported that the Asst. Director requested an additional $1.56-6 million for the Mary Avenue project from the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee and was given a thumbs-up. Public Works Director Ralph Qualls attended the Technical Advisory Committee meeting, who also recommended approval of the request. This item is scheduled for the June 2 VTA Board meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES I. April 7 Special Meeting Minutes - The minutes were approved as submitted. I OLD BUSINESS 2. Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge and Mary Avenue Gateway Updates The schedule for completing design for the end of 2005 or beginning of 2006, and completing construction near the end of 2006 or beginning of 2007, is still in place. However, a few design issues may alter the schedule and add six months to the project. Asst. Director Goepfert stated he did not anticipate any problems with the funding if the completion of the project takes more time, but the cost of the project might increase. Also, the residents of the area have expressed concerns about fencing and the grade of the path, which may add to the cost. In regard to the Mary Avenue Gateway project, the City has received a $100,000 grant. The design has been sent back to the consultant, MP AA, to re-instill a vertical element or arbor to mirror structures along the roadway. The changes should be finished soon, and the City anticipates getting a bid out in June and building the gateway this summer. Asst. Director Goepfert stated this project has moved slowly because he has had to prioritize a number of important projects, including the Kim Street gate and a crosswalk on Stelling Road and Alves Avenue. He was asked to bring a listing of staff projects to the next meeting. Comm. Koski inquired about the egret theme of the etchings on the bridge and was informed that the theme was still under discussion. 3. Bike-to-Work Week Update Comm. Walton stated that everything was just about set for the event. Asst. Director Goepfert was asked to procure a copy of a program that aired on Channel 18 on May 17, which featured biking to work. NEW BUSINESS: 4. Recommendation to hold BPC meetings bi-monthly Comm. Paulsen asked the commissioners for their opinions regarding holding meetings every other month. Comm. Walton asked if the reason for this recommendation was due to the workload of the Public Works Department; he was informed that this was the primary reason. Asst. Director Goepfert stated that the Public Safety Commission had already agreed to hold bi-monthly meetings in even-numbered months. Comm. Walton stated he was agreeable to holding fewer meetings and felt the Commission should try this out. Comm. Paulsen stated that fewer meetings could slow things down and, if approved, the Commission needs to be extra careful that at the end of each meeting, everyone has a clear understanding of assignments and responsibilities for the next meeting. He also suggested having on-line chats with the public in alternate months, if permitted by the Brown Act. Asst. Director Goepfert stated whatever legal requirements there are for public meetings would have to be fulfilled, including posting an agenda. In response to a question of how the Commission could assist with any staffing issues, he informed the Commission that raising any staff-related issues requires staff to form opinions and gather information, which requires some effort. He 2 was asked how often other commissions hold meetings and stated that Fine Arts Commission holds quarterly meetings and the Parks and Recreation Commission is looking at holding fewer meetings. Comm. Paulsen stated that it would be very helpful if the commissions do not duplicate efforts. Asst. Director Goepfert stated that he felt that eliminating duplication would cause the commissions to zero in on issues; bi-monthly meetings may create longer agendas and meeting times, but he doubts this would become too much of a problem. Comm. Greenstein stated that the two issues that concerned him are responsiveness to the public and availability when staff needs decisions made. He doesn't see a problem with holding meetings every other month, providing that special meetings can be called. Comm. Koski feels bi-monthly meetings will work out and wondered if there could be an informal way for the commissioners to be available for the citizens. She was informed that having meetings with citizens is allowed as long as three or more commissioners are not present. By consensus, the Commission agreed to hold meetings bi-monthly with the proviso that special meetings will be held based on the need from the public or staff. The commission will meet in June and July, then begin holding meetings in odd-numbered months on the third Wednesday of the month. The by-laws regarding absences will be need to be changed due to fewer meetings. 5. School Traffic Issues This item was defined as concern for traffic around the schools and what the Commission can do in the way of suggesting mitigation measures involving education, circulation issues, and possibly, infrastructure. Asst. Director Goepfert gave a brief listing of current mitigations, including eliminating the free right turn at McClellan Road and De Anza Boulevard, signage regarding pedestrians in the crosswalk, and countdown pedestrian heads along De Anza Boulevard. Comm. Paulsen asked that these issues become running agenda items. Comm. Koski stated she wanted to address a problem at Kennedy Middle School and asked about eliminating stopping in the bike lane. Her only concern is that this might push the problem to another area, such as the side streets. Discussion followed regarding similar problems at other schools and what might be done to alleviate the problems. One suggestion was to create liaisons between the Commission and the schools. Asst. Director Goepfert will gather information and report back to the Commission. Comm. Walton stated he would like to pursue the concept of a walking school bus. Comm. Greenstein reported that Monta Vista High School created its own walk-bike day on April 27. He worked with a 4-person team to put this together and 30-40 others volunteers assisted them. The event was a success-there was food and a raffle, and maps with estimated times for walking and biking from different locations were distributed. He made a motion that the Commission recommend that the City Council issue a proclamation to the high school. The motion passed unanimously. Asst. Director Goepfert advised Comm. Greenstein to talk to the City Clerk regarding the process for issuing the proclamation. 3 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future agenda items should include: bike lane standards, especially the 1-280 project; the role of the Commission regarding staff's priority projects; Bicycle Friendly Community application; Fine Arts Commission and the Mary A venue Bridge; traffic issues at Keunedy Middle School, including setting up a liaison program; and discussion of items on the City's website. Asst. Director Goepfert informed the Commission that Street Smarts information has been placed on the City's website under the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. Comm. Walton informed the Commission that Celia Chung has left the Valley Transportation Authority and Michelle DeRobertis is her replacement. Ms. DeRobertis formerly worked at Wilbur Smith Associates and assisted in developing the City's Bicycle Transportation Plan and Pedestrian Plan. Comm. Paulsen reported that the State renewed the County's Traffic Safe Communities Network grant in full for two years, but prohibited spending on bicycle pedestrian activities. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ') j~M' ð -J LI t... . ~ Administrative Assistant 4